From Australia's largest city to its capital city, embrace the adventure of a road trip with this guide to a scenic route from Sydney to Canberra. Pickup your Hertz rental car from any of the sixteen branches located around Sydney/Eora, including one conveniently at the airport, and sit back and relax as you take in all that these southeastern roads of Australia have to offer.
Wine and Dine in the Southern Highlands
Begin your road trip with a stop in the picturesque region of the Southern Highlands, just a little over an hour and a half from Sydney. This gorgeous district has a plethora of activities and adventures that can be found amongst lush landscapes and quaint villages and is especially well known for its world class food and drink culture. The town of Bowral is a great option to make your homebase as you explore the surrounding areas, with everything from tulip gardens to restaurants to help you relax into the easy going atmosphere. The Centennial Vineyards are a must-stop for wine lovers, featuring beautiful glasses of chardonnay that can be paired with the option of high tea. You can even take a tour of the cellar doors that populate the area with The Grape Escape, taking you to several wineries on a wine-tasting tour and allowing you to enjoy the wine without worrying about the drive. Explore the region further with a visit to Fitzroy Falls, a national park that boasts stunning waterfalls and close encounters with native animals, like the majestic lyrebird. This slice of paradise is straight out of a postcard with lush greenery and incredible vistas surrounding the national park and putting you back in touch with nature before you hit the road again.
Embrace the Beach on a Coastal Detour
Less than two hours southeast of the Southern Highlands is the must-stop destination of Jervis Bay. Sitting about halfway between Sydney and Canberra, this beautiful oceanic bay makes for the perfect coastal detour for your road trip. Stretch your legs with a walk along the white-washed sands of the town’s seaside jewel, Murrays Beach, and watch the turquoise waves roll in. Make sure you head along the coast to the tip of Jervis Bay and enjoy the view from the Cape St George Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a great vantage spot to observe the whales as they migrate past if you’re passing through from June to July and from September to November. The region is also filled with a range of native flora and fauna across its two national parks, Jervis Bay National Park and Booderee National Park. The wildlife encounters don’t stop there, as the Jervis Bay Marine Park is also home to a collection of bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, little penguins and sea dragons. After exploring the surrounding areas and taking in the scenery, head to the Jervis Bay Pavilion at the Huskisson Hotel on the bay’s waterfront. The stunning views and great food make for the perfect afternoon to top off your stop in this seaside town.
Cosy Country Towns
For your last stop before you reach the country’s capital of Canberra/Ngambri, embrace the cosy country town vibes of the region that borders the Australian Capital Territory. A little over two hours from Jervis Bay and less than forty minutes from the nation’s capital is the quaint town of Bungendore. This historic village boasts heritage buildings and art galleries featuring local work, as well as a variety of amazing restaurants and wineries. Known for its cool climate, the vineyards in the region flourish from the colder temperatures and produce some of the most delicious grapes in the area because of it. Indulge in a glass of tasty red at Contentious Character and sit back with a meal from their amazing restaurant. Take an afternoon stroll through the town of Bungendore and marvel at some of the immaculately maintained original colonial buildings that still stand from 1837, when the town was first becoming a home to British settlers. You can observe these buildings on a heritage walk that begins at the western end of Malbon Street and heads towards the 19th century red brick railway station. Bungendore is the perfect stop to cosy up and enjoy a lovely meal by the fire at The George Bar and Dining in the village’s centre before heading back on the road toward Canberra.
From Sydney to Canberra, embrace the picturesque regions of southeast Australia and take in the scenery as you traverse the tree-lined roads to the nation’s capital. From coastal beaches to iconic wine regions and quaint country towns, this road trip is one that boasts both adventure and relaxation.
